The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a proactive step by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to explore the world of food labeling in online grocery shopping platforms. This initiative aligns with the FDA’s continued focus on nutrition-related matters.
The primary objective of the RFI is to gather insights into the content, format, and accuracy of food labeling information provided through online grocery shopping platforms. By engaging with various stakeholders, the FDA aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of consumers’ access to consistent and reliable data regarding nutrition, ingredients, and allergens for packaged foods in the online shopping sphere.
Claudine Kavanaugh, the Director of the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling at the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, emphasizes the significance of this endeavor. She highlights the importance of consumers having access to precise and informative food labels while shopping online, enabling them to make informed choices to support a healthy diet.
The RFI solicits feedback from stakeholders regarding the availability of nutrition, ingredient, and allergen labeling information on online grocery platforms. It also seeks insights into the presentation of food labeling information and any challenges faced in ensuring accurate and consistent data in the online environment.
This undertaking takes on added significance due to the substantial surge in online grocery sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that online grocery sales in the United States skyrocketed from $1.2 billion in August 2019 to $7.2 billion in June 2020. This trend is expected to persist, with online grocery orders projected to comprise more than 20 percent of all U.S. grocery sales in 2023.
Kavanaugh underscores the lasting impact of COVID-19 on online shopping and highlights its enduring relevance. The RFI also aligns with the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, specifically contributing to Pillar 3: Empower All Consumers to Make and Have Access to Healthy Choices.
The RFI serves as a vital component in the FDA’s broader efforts to enhance food labeling practices, including the development of a standardized front-of-package labeling scheme. These initiatives underscore the FDA’s commitment to promoting consumer health, nutrition, and safety. Streamlining food labeling policies can facilitate quicker and more convenient identification of healthier food options for consumers.
Kavanaugh emphasizes, “We believe that easy access to accurate nutrition, allergen, and ingredient information while grocery shopping is essential to help people make informed choices for healthier and safer selections.”
